Although somewhat abstract, traditional Chinese moral principles appear to be finding their way into modern exams. Exam-takers' "virtue" will be taken into consideration in the 2012 nationwide public servants' recruitment exam. Meanwhile, Peking University has said students who do not respect their parents are not suitably qualified for university. What's your opinion about these new regulations? Do you think they are reasonable? China Daily mobile news readers share their views:

In my opinion, it is immature and unreasonable to bring in moral principles as a standard for civil servants or university entrance examinations. First, as an inner quality it is hard to evaluate morality with concrete statistics, which may lead to injustice; second, though such practice would to some extent guide good social values, it would do little to change social customs, since virtues are not cultivated in a day; last, morality cannot be tested merely by one or two exams.

MAXIAOQING, Tianjin

I agree that the traditional virtue of filial piety should be a requirement for recruitment exams. It is exactly because there is less attention paid to traditional morality in today's exam-oriented education that talents have become morally handicapped. To add moral principles to exams would intensify the importance people attach to them and help talent training and social harmony.

BANDUWEILIANG, Qingdao, Shandong province

It is easy to see people's fickleness and desire for quick returns in today's society. Morals, which have accumulated over thousands of years, should be passed on through personal example. Since intangible virtues cannot be quantified or set as an examination standard, in my opinion, it would be more feasible to make efforts to improve the existing education system and twisted social values by reforms.

XIAER, Nanjing, Jiangsu province

To make moral principles assessment criteria shows our declining social customs, as well as the fact that governments have already paid attention to this problem. But the intention, though good, is still far from enough to achieve the effect of "survival of the fittest" since the formation of social customs is dependent on a society's cultural identity and responsibility as well as government's cultural orientation.

Little D, Beijing

I think the proposal is reasonable. It is known to all that at present the moral consciousness of Chinese citizens is weakening. The introduction of moral principles would guide people to cultivate and attach more importance to morality. Relevant laws and regulations should be improved during the implementation process, in order to make society more harmonious and beautiful.

HAINANYEZI, Haikou, Hainan province

It is progress, or at least the beginning of progress that the country has become aware of the present morality deficiency and twisted social values and is considering exam-takers' virtue in recruitment. But whether or not morality can be effectively tested and implemented is the key to the success or failure of this policy.

Philip, Huanggang, Hubei province

(China Daily 10/17/2011 page9)